Students reap rewards of years of hard work
Last updated 16:03, Wednesday, 24 September 2008
YEARS of hard work, determination and commitment reached a climax last month when A-level and GCSE exam results were finally revealed.
For some students, there was delight as those long-awaited results clinched them that coveted university place. For others the results confirmed a place in the world of work or further education options.
When it came to A-level results from 21 out of 26 LEA schools, Cumbria County Council says 67.2 per cent of pupils achieved A-C grades – in 2007 it was 66.1 per cent. And the percentage of those passing A-levels at grades A-E currently stands at 95.7 per cent.
Students at the Workington Sixth Form Centre were celebrating their A-level success as this year’s overall pass rate jumped 10 per cent from last year to 96.3 per cent. Headteacher Stephen Hunter-Brown said: “The students and the staff have been working really hard and deserve the success. They have been brilliant.
“This has been a very successful year and I am pleased with the pass rate. It’s due to focussed students and staff.”
The sixth form has 90 Year 13 students, who took on average three A-levels each.
Kris Moore, 18, of Whitestiles, Seaton, who achieved an A and two Bs, said: “I got exactly what I needed so I’m now going to the University of York in October to study biochemistry. I’m ecstatic, really pleased. I felt confident based on the amount of revision I did but I got really nervous the night before the results.”
Emma Tyson, 18, of High Street, Maryport, who achieved two A grades and one B, said: “I got better grades than predicted so I’m going to Staffordshire University to study film production. I’m really pleased but relieved at the same time. It’s been hard work but I’ve enjoyed the last two years.”
Gemma Walker, 18, of Ruskin Close, High Harrington, who got two As and a C, said: “I was predicted Bs and Cs so I’m really pleased with what I have. I was really nervous but I’m so relieved now. I’m going to start a three-year course at Manchester Metropolitan University doing international fashion design.”
At Cockermouth School there was an overall pass rate of more than 42 per cent of students achieving As and Bs. Headteacher Stuart Reeves said: “They are another excellent set of results. Seventeen students attained all A grades, which is fantastic. We’re over the moon.”
Michal Keziara, 19, who got four As and will study medicine at Sheffield University, said: “I like my results very much, especially biology. Some are better than I thought.”
Meanwhile, Copeland students were celebrating after receiving their A-level results. All schools were delighted by the hard work their students had put in.
Janet Simpson, headteacher of Wyndham School, said: “They have been a tremendous year group throughout with a very positive and hard-working attitude. The results show improvement in all areas. The overall pass rate is 95.2 per cent and a third of all grades were As and Bs, which is a fantastic achievement.”
Kevin Finlinson, head of the Post 16 Centre at Whitehaven School, said: “We are delighted that the majority of our students wishing to go onto university have been successful in gaining their first choice place. Results have also been pleasing for those opting to go into employment or training locally. Students and staff work very hard to achieve the best possible results and it is excellent to see those efforts rewarded.”
GCSE students have also been celebrating. Students at Southfield Technology College achieved the best ever GCSE results in the history of the school – 60 per cent of the students achieved grades A to C which is up on last year’s result of 54 per cent.
Headteacher Lynda Dalkin said : “These results are outstanding. We have done much better than expected and have exceeded government targets.”
Emma Ryden achieved eight A* grades and four As and plans to do A levels in Maths, English, Geography and Art. Sian Ley achieved eight two A* grades, eight As and a B, she said: “I’m really happy. It feels absolutely awesome.”
Maryport’s Netherhall School was above target for A to C maths and English grades with an original target of 35 per cent, achieving 37 per cent this year. Forty-seven per cent of students achieved five A to Cs, two per cent more than last year. The school achieved a 96 per cent pass and head David Sibbit said: “We are very, very pleased with the results. We are right on target and above in some places. My congratulations go to the students who have worked so hard and my thanks to the teachers and staff for the work and the extra work they do to support those students.”
For Wyndham and Ehenside schools, it was a joyous but heartbreaking moment as pupils picked up their results for the final time before the schools combined to form the new West Lakes Academy. Beth Richardson was one outstanding Wyndham student with 11.5 A* grades.
Headteacher Janet Simpson said: “As headteacher I am extremely proud of the way in which staff and students have worked so hard this, the last year of Wyndham School.”
Malcolm Smith, headteacher of Whitehaven School, said: “I am very pleased with the GCSE results this year, they have improved to match the school’s best result, with just over 60 per cent achieving 5 A*- C grades.
“Achievement is not just about the highest grades; many students have worked hard to achieve their targets and very few students are leaving without qualifications. They have been a great group of young people who have worked hard to achieve well.”
And at St Benedict’s, headteacher Ann Brook was equally delighted. She said: “They are our best A* to C results so we are extremely pleased, the pupils have worked very hard. There have been some very good individual performances with As and A*s across the board for several children. We think that the students have done very well and the boys did as well as the girls.
“I would like to thank staff for all their hard work. It has certainly given everyone something to celebrate.”
St Bees School’s GCSE results were well above the national average. Top student was Alex Mullarky, of Hensingham, who achieved 11 A grades including five at A*.
Others included Rickie Bewsher, from Holmrook, with eight A/A*s; Emma Hutchins, from Beckermet, with nine A/A*s; Joe Pearson, from Hensingham, with eight A/A*s and Adele Rogers, from St Bees with 10 A/A*s.
Headmaster Philip Capes said: “All these young people thoroughly deserve their success. They have worked extremely hard to achieve these high grades and the majority of our pupils complete their GCSE courses with passes in 10 or more subjects.”
